Debra Franke writer/poet/photographer
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Chorus of Frogs: Listening for One Voice

May 9, 2018
Chorus of Frogs: Listening for One Voice

There is a chorus of frogs all around me. It has been one of the greatest moments of wonder so far on my trip to Victoria. My family lives in a different house now, with trails and ponds surrounding their backyard, and as I write from the sunroom, watching the red streaks of sunset over the distant mountains and the world going dark, almost every sound I would normally hear is drowned out by a peaceful and symphonic chorus of hundreds of frogs. Every so often a siren in the distance, or the soft swirling water cycle of the dishwasher in the next room, but then, moments later, back to the frogs. Tomorrow I will go running on the cedar wood-chip trail through the curly willow and poplar trees against the backdrop of quieter morning frogs and sparrows, and the odd woodpecker, watch the turtles sun themselves on rocks, and ponder the dialogue of the most chatty, insistent, fervent ducks.

Everything in nature has a voice, but not everything gets heard.

I’ve been reading tonight that every species of frog makes a unique sound. Only male frogs can croak, and the sound comes from a small sac in their throats which vibrates the air as they slowly let it out, acting as an acoustic resonator. And the more strength they have, the louder their bellow, because it takes energy and oxygen to chirp. Everything in nature has a voice–whether auditory, tactile, visual, olfactory– they are all saying something to the world. Yet if I listen closely enough to the choir of night-singing frogs, I can pick out the odd one giving the world its soprano solo, or its deep timbrous base. A little louder, slightly different pitch, random rhythm or other characteristics of voice make some stand out more uniquely and others fall into the background, much like humans and the world.

Much like the speaking and written voices that blend or fall into recesses of the world, even when they wish more than anything, that they could be heard. The night frogs remind me of those who have retreated to the back walls and alleys of our communities and cities, those whose weaker chorus of voices we don’t always pay attention to anymore. The marginalized, forgotten, ignored. jared-evans-130416-unsplashWhat does it take to be heard? What does it take for those voices blending into the background, silenced by the loud drone of the world, to stand out again, clear and ringing? Must one be passionately intense? Have the accepted vocabulary? Have the confidence of a soloist? Or have the rest of us simply forgotten how to listen?

The chorus sound of frogs bellowing through the dark night holds so much beauty. But could we enter that blended chorus of voices, hear every note and word, put our ears to the ground of notes and pitches and tune in to the very singular sounds that make up the beautiful orchestra? Because if I really listen, if I tune myself into the particularity of sounds, I can hear them one by one, a little more every night.

It’s a practice perhaps, something we need to do intentionally, and something we have to learn to do–to listen with open ears and with anticipation for what we will receive. It’s a practice of love.

Everything in nature has a voice. Do you hear it?amir-saman-350191-unsplash

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4 thoughts on “Chorus of Frogs: Listening for One Voice”

  • speranzanow says:
    May 8, 2018 at 10:27 pm

    Really beautifully written and all so true! We have our own “peepers” here and our own particular Pavarotti who is really giving it his all. Soon, the telltale, transparent, jellied necklaces will be visible on the surface and another cycle starts all over again. I love these guys! (Photos are also stunning here!)

    Reply
    • Away in Autumn says:
      May 10, 2018 at 5:16 am

      Thanks for your kind words Speranzanow! And thanks for stopping by and reading along. Love that you have your own ‘peepers’ and looking forward to hearing more of this cycle once back in Ontario. I have a whole new relationship now with the sound of frogs in unison 🙂

      Reply
  • Rhonda Sittig says:
    May 11, 2018 at 4:08 am

    You have such a gift Debra. Thanks for the call to listen… And it sounds like a beautiful place to run. Being in dry California, we are frogless here. So it was sweet getting in on your experience. Love your posts. xox

    Reply
    • Away in Autumn says:
      May 12, 2018 at 8:45 pm

      Oh thank you Rhonda. Your words are so encouraging and kind. I love the call to listen, as I so often forget to, and the loud chorus of frogs here is so hard to miss, it’s like it’s beckoning me to hear it. Thanks for enjoying the experience, and for being here.

      Reply

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I’m so glad you’re here. I’m a writer, poet, and creative, as well as dreamer, runner, and Librarian. I am an advocate for language, voice, and creative storytelling, and anyone facing mental illness, trauma, homelessness, and more. I have my MA (CW and Englist Lit) and my BA Honours in Psychology. I have been published in several Canadian literary magazines and I am working on completed two poetry manuscripts. Click here to find out more.

About Me

Writer/Poet/Creative, Photographer, Librarian, Dog Lover, Taco Enthusiast, and Advocate for those struggling with mental health, homelessness, trauma, and marginalization.

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Copyright © 2021 Debra Franke

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